Reflections on the war moon

March 22 2003

On the dreadful nights leading up to war the moon grew larger, brighter and more useful to the invaders. Never has moonlight on the bush and the paddocks, normally so beautiful, seemed as ominous and tragic; and so unlike itself, having now been conscripted into the service of man's inhumanity to man.

Truth may well be the first casualty but to the intuitive mind psychological truths are illuminated and available like never before. In wartime a nation's emotional culture and the inner truth of many individuals, normally so concealed or defended, suddenly become more visible. Things pop out. It is a time to take note of who we are and what we're made of. There is a spring in the step and a glint in the eye of some, and a sad weariness in others.

The Foreign Minister is interviewed on radio about the grim details of war. At the end of the interview he is thanked by the journalist. "It's a pleasure," responds the minister. The relieved, compulsive, additional throwaway afterthought is often the most fascinating detail.");document.write("

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The American President, at the conclusion of his address to the nation about the necessity of war, makes a major theological statement: "And may God continue to bless America."

There's a lot in that. Not only the world is being changed but God also, and it will all be for the better, won't it?

In an age where "getting it right" is everything, smart, accurate weapons may actually seem more moral, intelligent and correct.

In almost every town across the land is a war monument where boys and girls are initiated into a state of mind: a reverence for the sacred authority of militarism and the unassailable glory of war. All a sad tragedy of course, but one towards which allegiance is owed and by which you are bound. "Your father and your grandfather went away so you'd better as well - even in principle." How many fantasising middle-aged men with a traumatised, overbearing father are still stuck up there on the Kokoda Trail trying to defend dad from the enemy?

War begets war. Each hit creates a craving for the next . Each war is a laboratory for the next.

Peace at any price? If war is what we must pay for peace then "any price" is what is being paid, for who can claim to deeply understand that price of war - it is incalculable and so is the complex, unnegotiable interest that must be paid as time goes on.

How does one support our troops and yet feel anger, shame and disgust for what they have been sent to do? By taking pity upon them, feeling compassion for their souls, and considering the plight of their families - and by refusing spiritually to salute the uniform.

When war is imminent or in motion, some identify emotionally with the power and authority of militarism, even to the desperate extent that they can see the rightness of any war. The drum sounds, they fall into line - hearts quaking and minds saluting. The strong father is in control at last, and he knows what's best.

Relief at last from uncertainty and the loneliness of vulnerable individuality. Salvation from the hell and humiliation of some lost inner cause, because they are marching with the victorious regiment and now it is the enemy who will be humiliated ... "Winners are grinners" is the cry of the lost soul.

Many, perhaps most, radio journalists and broadcasters sound like they are talking about a film or a football match when in fact they are talking about living chaos and atrocity. Is it forbidden to express solemnity, doubt or moral distress? Would the sky fall in? And if not now, when? The voices are unreflective, excited and detached as they read out the strategic, spoon-fed information units. The media is surely a "target of opportunity".

Fast food. Fast war. Fast democracy. The American dream. But in the slowness of time?

If there is a clash of civilisations at hand it may well be between those in all nations who are able to stand in other people's shoes and those who need to stand on other people's shoes.

The war on Iraq is among other things a cynical and brutal exercise but it has been made to sound so attractively speculative. Requiring an investor's or developer's approach - a smart young capitalist's mentality. And yet it is also being waged against people to liberate them from "barbarity" or their own misfortune and failure, which is precisely what motivated the missionaries of bygone days. It is being done, so we are told, "for their own good". The same approach is applied by some to child rearing and it is probable that many who apply that idea to children or had it applied to them might be in agreement with this war.

We have heard much of Saddam's tortures, and who is in a position to deny any of this? What is interesting is the lurid, graphic and lingering fascination of certain media commentators. It's as if we didn't know that torture was horrible. Yet it's as if they have been tortured themselves, at least psychologically - or have done a bit of similar torturing to others or would like to. The fascination always seems to serve the function of demonising somebody rather than arousing compassion and sympathy for the victim.

The Prime Minister has mentioned a fiendish torture machine owned by Saddam which shreds human flesh. Prime ministers should leave such revelations to backbenchers. And besides, the average tool shed or workshop of an Australian suburban bloke is crammed full with torture implements - if you want to think about it like that.